4.5: Spectra
Spectra are very important to astronomy because they can show the component wavelengths and specific elements present.
Continuous Spectrum
A continuous spectrum shows all wavelengths and is produced by hot, dense solid objects at high temperatures.
Emission Line Spectrum
An Emission Line spectrum produces a spectrum with bright lines . It occurs from heating an object, causing the electrons in the object’s atoms/molecules to show at a specific wavelength.
Absorption Line Spectrum
An Absorption Line spectrum produces a spectrum with dark lines . It occurs when one object absorbs specific photons given off by a second object. For example, a light behind a cloud of gas absorbs photons at the cloud’s energy level while the rest of the photons pass through the cloud.